Kashmir separatist goes to Ireland to study peace pact

INDIA: A top Indian Kashmiri separatist left for Northern Ireland Monday to study the Irish peace process for possible solutions to the dispute in the divided territory, as Indian troops killed two militants there.

Mirwaiz Umar Farooq heads the moderate faction in the embattled region's main separatist alliance, the Hurriyat Conference. He said the grouping was conducting an "extensive study" of peace agreements around the world.

"The visit to Belfast is purely to acquaint myself with the Good Friday peace deal," Farooq told AFP before flying out from New Delhi.

"I will try to meet the parties involved and try to understand if there are any similarities between the Irish and Kashmiri problems and if that agreement can help in resolving the Kashmir dispute," Farooq said.

Nuclear-armed India and Pakistan each hold Kashmir in part but claim it in full. A revolt against New Delhi's rule since 1989 has claimed over 44,000 lives by official count and at least double that number according to the separatists.

Indian troops Monday shot dead two Islamic militants during a fierce gunbattle in southern Tral town, an army spokesman said, adding two assault rifles were recovered from the scene of fighting. "The gunbattle sparked panic in the town as many a residents fled their homes fearing escalation in violence," the spokesman said.

"However, army neutralised the two militants within one hour," he said.Farooq is also lined up for a visit to Norway, where he will meet diplomats involved in talks between the Sri Lankan government and the Tamil Tigers. "I will be meeting them in Oslo. I want to understand how they managed to bring two warring sides to the table," he said.

Farooq's faction has held several rounds of talks with New Delhi, despite opposition by hardline rebels and separatists. But he said "nothing substantive" has emerged from the talks.

Srinagar, Tuesday, AFP